CONCORD, NH – Michael Zenk, a 36-year veteran Criminal Justice professional, was recently sworn in as new Warden of the New Hampshire State Prison for Men in Concord. His appointment was confirmed in January by the Governor and Executive Council, and the swearing-in ceremony took place Feb. 5.
Zenk, of Lyons, Ohio, was selected following a nationwide search. Since 2012 Zenk served as Deputy Court Administrator of the Toledo, Ohio, Municipal Court. Prior to that he worked as Superintendent of the New Castle, IN, Correctional Facility and Warden of the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center in Philipsburg, PA. From 1986 until 2007 he worked an a variety of leadership positions with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, including Warden of the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, GA, warden of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY, and Warden of the Federal Correctional Institution of Allenwood, PA. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University.
Zenk succeeds Warden Richard M. Gerry, who retired from state service in July 2015 after eight years as Warden at the Concord facility.
We had the chance to speak with Warden Zenk last month in advance of his swearing in – and wanted to ask him a few questions, including the possibility of bringing addiction and recovery programs inside the walls of our prison system.
Q. Are you ready for the challenge of working and living in New England?
Yes, I actually lived in New England when I worked for the federal prison system and helped open a medical center in Fort Devens, Mass. At that time I lived and worked in Northern Massachusetts. My wife and I are looking forward to the move back – we have two adult children living in Massachusetts, which is a part of our motivation.
Q. What was your initial impression of Gov. Maggie Hassan and did you discuss the current opiate crisis in New Hampshire?
I had the opportunity to meet with her before my nomination was made, and I understand she’s supportive of trying to address the opiate addiction statewide. Gov. Hassan is a progressive thinker and, from what I’ve read, I understand that the opiate addiction issue is not unique to New Hampshire.
Q. What is your sense of the need of more treatment for those who enter the prison system with addiction, particularly to opiates?
States are becoming more progressive and focusing on treatment during incarceration. What we’ve learned in Ohio is that those who go through treatment and withdrawal while incarcerated, if not prepared to avoid using once they are released, they go back to using opiates at the same level, so we’ve been looking at using medications for those inmates, to reduce the physical urge. I’m not that familiar yet with how New Hampshire has addressed that issue.
Most of my experience was in the federal system, and we did have a pretty aggressive drug treatment program for those incarcerated. Recently the Department of Justice began releasing offenders who were considered low-level offenders, who’ve had their sentences reduced, which lowered the prison population because they don’t present a great risk to society. It’s a pretty well established release plan.
I will say that drug use is one thing, and drug trafficking quite another. Most states, like Ohio, have taken steps to try to avoid sending people back to prison for drug use. Wardens in correctional institutions are responsible for supporting the executive and legislative and judicial branches. Our response is to promote public safety and find ways to manage those offenders while incarcerated, and hopefully change their behaviors to reduce recidivism; that’s what prisons exist for. There are some who serve life sentences, but you still have a responsibility to manage them humanely and safely while incarcerated.
Q. What was your impression of the Concord men’s prison when you first toured it?
I was impressed. They have an experienced staff and workforce. Part of the prison is older, some is newer, and well-maintained and it’s apparent to me that there are good security practices in place, and that the staff takes pride in their work. The population appeared to be a compliant population. Of course you have issues in any population, but it appears to me the warden has done a good job. I’m looking forward to getting started.
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